The RCEF Seed Program’s PalaySikatan 2.0 project has boosted mechanized rice planting this wet season, showcasing riding-type and walk-behind transplanters. Michael Johnson P. Mabalo of the San Quintin Integrated Farmers Association (SQIFA) noted that initial resistance from older farmers decrease after seeing the demonstrations, leading to increased adoption.
Similarly, Elmer B. Vidad of the Bangar Irrigators Farmers Association (BIFA) reported successful member adoption following the demonstrations. SQIFA farmer-adopters rose from 12 (13%) to 36 (39%), while BIFA’s numbers grew from 4 (4%) to 31 (35%). The associations have mechanically transplanted a total of 69ha which were committed to the PalaySikatan program.
The project’s 25 demonstration sites across the country emphasize the benefits of high-quality inbred rice seeds, technology, and farm mechanization, with each site featuring a 50ha rice cluster. PalaySikatan 2.0 aims to drive broader adoption of innovative rice farming technologies.
